Philadelphia officer wounded in deadly West Philadelphia ambush leaves hospital

A Philadelphia police officer who survived 12 gunshot wounds in an Oct. 10 attack that killed his partner went home from the hospital Saturday, according to several local outlets.

Officer Hector Rodriguez left Penn Presbyterian Medical Center at about 11 a.m., The Philadelphia Inquirer and 6abc reported. The Inquirer said more than 100 officers lined up to salute him, and hospital workers joined in the applause. FOX 29 reported that medical staff, police and neighbors cheered as an ambulance carried him away.

The Inquirer described Rodriguez as 33 years old, a nine-year member of the force and a father of five. Police officials told 6abc his condition had improved dramatically, and the station said he was heading home to his wife and children.

First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford told the Inquirer that Rodriguez now faces further rehabilitation. "It's going to be a long road for him," Stanford said, pledging the department's full backing.

According to FOX 29, the two officers had gone to North 52nd Street just after midnight on Oct. 10 to check on a report of an armed man, and gunfire was directed at them when they arrived. Shane Seiber was struck three times and did not survive. The Inquirer said he was 40; FOX 29 said he had served 10 years and is survived by his wife and two children under age 10. FOX 29 and 6abc both reported that he was promoted to sergeant after his death.

Seiber was buried Tuesday. The Inquirer reported that Rodriguez was briefly let out of the hospital so he could attend the service.

Eric Lewis, 35, is accused of carrying out the shooting. Police told the Inquirer he pulled back into an alley and held off officers before giving up. FOX 29 reported police allegations that he shot at 11 officers altogether and was arrested once SWAT teams reached the scene, and that three guns tied to the case were recovered.

District Attorney Larry Krasner has filed roughly 80 counts against Lewis, FOX 29 reported, among them the killing of a police officer and 10 attempted murder charges. Federal prosecutors also secured an indictment against him on Thursday, according to 6abc; the Inquirer said those counts involve firearms. FOX 29 reported that the federal case is expected to go to trial before the local one. Lewis is presumed innocent.

The Inquirer noted that Lewis was found not guilty in a previous murder case, which has added to friction between the police department and Krasner.

FOX 29 also reported that separate online fundraising drives for the two families have collected more than $120,000 for Seiber's relatives, while the campaign for Rodriguez is close to reaching its $20,000 target.

Compiled by True News from reporting by FOX 29 Philadelphia, CBS Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Inquirer and 6abc Action News. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/426